Interview in The Guardian, September, 2010:
He takes everything, he says, more slowly now…”You know, I was shameful, and you do stuff that causes disgust, and that’s hard to recover from. You can say, ‘I forgive you’ and all that stuff, but it’s not the same as recovering from it. It’s not coming back.”
…it may well be down to the open-heart surgery he underwent early last year, when surgeons replaced his aortic valve with one from a pig.
“Oh, God, you find yourself getting emotional. It breaks through your barrier, you’ve literally cracked the armour. And you’ve got no choice, it literally breaks you open. And you feel really mortal.” Does the intimation of mortality live with him still? “Totally.” Is it a blessing? “Totally.”
– Robin Williams, 63, [July 29th 1951 – August 11th 2014]. RIP.
Notes: Photo – Tracylord
We have lost one of the best actors and comedians. RIP Robin Williams.
Yes, we certainly have…
I read somewhere a long time ago that genius lives on the very edge of madness. Williams was a comedic genius whose ad-libs always reminded me of the antics of Johnathon Winters, another comedic genius who suffered a great deal from depression. I believe they held impossibly high standards for themselves, always reaching out for that one, impossibly perfect line, the one perfect joke. R.I.P. You will be missed by millions.
Thanks for sharing Larry, especially given the quote attributed to Williams:
Yes, what an amazing talent, a genius as you described him.
He brought so much laughter to the world.
He did…
So incredibly sad. I loved his work. He was a rare gem that will be missed by many to be sure.
It is. Too young to go.
I was really sorry to hear this sad news.
I was too Anneli. I didn’t realize he was suffering (this much)
so sad, guess genius has its price–a very high and sad price
Yes…and the high toll of depression.
it is an awful disease–one many of us are too familiar with
such a terrible sadness he wasn’t able to overcome and sadness we’ve taken on with the loss of him.
Yes, agree Beth.
So sad and so shocking…and yet, there were times when I wondered if there was something below the surface with Robin Williams that he struggled with. There were times when he was being interviewed that I sensed sadness beneath the laughter. It’s so difficult to imagine the world now without this amazing man who was capable of not only driving us to tears with laughter, but touching our hearts with such tenderness. My own heart really hurts right now.
I had no idea he was struggling like he was. I just assumed that with this talent and success, everything was good. Another lesson…
Very sad news. He gave us so much cheer but was not able to overcome his own sadness. Heartbreaking.
It is Helen.
Sad, very sad news. A great loss.
It is Marina…
So very sad over this. I loved watching him as a child. What a genius. I’m going to take away that quote about the little spark of madness.
Yes Olivia. I agree.
Stunned when I heard the news and so deeply saddened. I knew that he had struggled with depression in the past, but I didn’t realize that he was struggling now. He brought such joy to so many, and yet….. RIP.
Me too Lori. You hear of the famous and their addictions and the tragedies, and you get numb to the news. This one, hit me differently. So sad.
So sad today. We’ll never forget how he made us laugh. I’m so sorry that he couldn’t find peace in his life. He will be sorely missed. RIP dear Robin. ♥
I agree Sylvia. He will be sorely missed.
I love that you’re doing a whole series on Robin, but I’ll have to come back to them in a week, two weeks. I’m too close to him today. I am him.
Ahhhhh, I hope not. At least not that close….
I am utterly heartbroken. We have all lost – and through him, learned – so much. Thank you for this, and for all else, David.
Thanks Makere. I feel like you do about him. Such a shame…
Reblogged this on Makere's Blog.
Thank you for sharing Makere
RIP, Robin Williams. He tottered the fine line between happiness and sadness so well…..
And, and just not long enough for many of us…
We cannot recover from what we do (as he said) then how can we expect ourselves to recover from such a loss? Memories/Scars are always there. Besides, we have become so attached to our favorite actors/singers/authors that when we lose them we mourn at their death.
Well put Sonia. Thank you.
I will miss Robin Williams. I loved his very soul.
I’m so with you…